Jetour Dashing Emerges Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year as NAJA Honours Industry Excellence

The sleek and futuristic Jetour Dashing has been crowned Nigeria’s 2025 Car of the Year by the Nigeria Auto Journalists’ Association (NAJA), following a keenly contested evaluation among leading models in the market.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the 18th NAJA International Auto Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The tech-driven compact crossover SUV edged out strong contenders Changan CS55 and Chery Tiggo to clinch the industry’s most prestigious honour.

With this win, the Jetour Dashing joins an elite list of past winners of the coveted award, which includes Changan CS55, Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio, underscoring its growing appeal and relevance in Nigeria’s competitive automotive market.

Beyond the Car of the Year category, the award night celebrated outstanding performances across the automotive value chain. Mikano was named Auto Company of the Year, while Toyota Nigeria’s Isolo facility (TNL Workshop) clinched Workshop of the Year.

Other major honours are Dangote Sinotruk as Heavy-Duty Truck Brand of the Year; Iron Products Industries (IPI) Ltd as Truck Assembler/Body Builder of the Year; Lanre Shittu Motors (JAC) as Truck Plant of the Year; and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) as Passenger Car Assembly Plant of the Year.

In the electric and alternative energy segment, Saglev emerged EV Brand of the Year, while Jet Automobiles Ltd was recognised as CNG Vehicle Assembler of the Year. Massilia Motors (Mitsubishi) won Most Innovative Auto Company of the Year, and Suzuki by CFAO was named the most competitive priced brand of the year.

Model-specific awards also featured prominently, with Mercedes-Benz S-Class winning Luxury Car of the Year; Range Rover Autobiography (Coscharis Motors) clinching Luxury SUV of the Year; Kia Seltos taking Compact SUV of the Year, Changan CS55 (Mikano Motors) winning Midsize SUV of the Year; Toyota Hilux named Pick-Up of the Year, and Toyota Hiace crowned Minibus of the Year. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class also emerged as Most Popular Luxury Model of the Year.

Corporate and sectoral resilience was recognised with Stallion Motors, R.T. Briscoe Nigeria Plc and ANAMMCO Ltd, all honoured as Resilient Auto Companies of the Year, while Coscharis Motors clinched Multiple Brand Auto Company of the Year. CFAO Mobility won Most Enterprising Auto Company of the Year, and GUO Transport Ltd was named Transport Company of the Year.

Several brands were also recognised as New Entrants of the Year, including New Era Automobile Services, JIM–ISUZU Pick-Up (Cedric Autos Ltd), JEGO EV, NORD A9, and Jetour X50, highlighting the growing dynamism of Nigeria’s auto market. NORD Automobiles also emerged as Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year.

In aftersales and services, Carloha won both Auto Aftersales Company of the Year and Pre-owned Company of the Year, while Winpart clinched Auto Aftersales Service Provider of the Year (Parts & Workshop).

Individual excellence was equally recognised. Oluwatobi Ajayi, Chairman/CEO of NORD Automobiles, was named Auto Personality of the Year (Private Sector), while Otunba Joseph Osanipin, Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), emerged Auto Personality of the Year (Public Sector). Ifeanyi Agwu, Managing Director/CEO of BKG Exhibitions Ltd, was honoured as Auto Show Promoter of the Decade, while Sonu Singh of Stallion Motors won Marketing/Media Manager of the Year.

Speaking at the ceremony, NADDC Director General Joseph Osanipin commended NAJA for sustaining a credible platform that celebrates excellence, innovation and professionalism in the automotive industry. He noted that automotive journalists play a critical role in informing the public, promoting accountability and spotlighting industry advancements.

According to him, the NAJA awards align with NADDC’s statutory mandate to reposition Nigeria’s automotive sector as a driver of industrial growth, job creation and technological advancement.

In his welcome address, NAJA Chairman Mr. Theodore Opara described the awards as one of the most respected platforms in the sector, noting that the 18-year-old initiative has continued to adapt amid rapid global and local changes.

“From vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions to policy reforms, local assembly and evolving consumer expectations, the automotive landscape is undergoing major transformation,” Opara said.

The 2025 edition of the NAJA International Auto Awards once again reinforced its status as the benchmark for recognising excellence and progress in Nigeria’s automotive ecosystem.